Project Detail

Dancing at Lughnasa

Jonathan Hession

Synopsis

The summer of 1936, when the action of Dancing at Lughnasa takes place, is beautiful, but Europe is on the verge of terrible change.

Through that glorious summer, at the very edge of Europe, in Ballybeg, Donegal, the Mundy family shelter in their small home - five sisters, one brother and Michael, the love child of Christina, the youngest sister.

The film is seen through the eyes of the boy. He feels the joy and security of his close-knit clan, but its secrets and sorrows begin to break through. The arrival of Michael's father, a Welsh man, Gerry Evans, on his way to fight for Franco in Spain, unleashes repressed passion. The Eden of Ballybeg is changed forever.

They meet their fate bravely. The memory of that summer haunts Michael forever, memories of love and loss, of women dancing, dancing as if their lives depend on the dance - and they do.

Details

Year: 1999
Type of film: Features
Running time: 99 mins
Format: 35mm Kodak
Director: Pat O'Connor
Producer: Jane Barclay, Sharon Harel
Director of Photography: Kenneth MacMillan BSC
Principal cast: Meryl Streep, Michael Gambon, Catherine McCormack, Kathy Burke
Executive Screen Writer: Frank McGuinness

Production Status

Complete

Production Company

Ferndale Films 61 Merrion Square Dublin 2 Tel: 00 3531 676 8890 Fax: 00 3531 676 8874

Sales Company

Capitol Films 23 Queensdale Place London W11 4SQ Tel: 020 7471 6000 Fax: 020 7471 6012 Email: capfilms@aol.com

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